Driver! Put That Phone Away!

Drivers Urged to Put Away Their Mobile Devices as RSA Publishes New Survey on Dangerous Driving
As we gear up for the August Bank Holiday Weekend, we at AA Ireland are joining forces with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Minister of State James Lawless, and An Garda Síochána to urge all drivers to put away their mobile devices and focus on safe driving. This comes on the heels of a new RSA survey revealing a troubling increase in mobile device usage among drivers.

Key Findings from the RSA Survey

The RSA’s 2023 Mobile Device Usage Observational Survey, conducted at 145 locations nationwide in September and October 2023, shows that 9% of drivers were observed using mobile devices, up from 6% last year. Notably, drivers of light goods vehicles, such as vans, had the highest rate of mobile device usage at 13%. Among these drivers, 59% were using the device in hand, while 41% had the device at their ear. Additionally, male drivers were more frequently observed using handheld devices than female drivers.

Road Safety Concerns

Minister of State James Lawless emphasized the critical need for drivers to refrain from using mobile devices and to reduce speed, particularly during the busy Bank Holiday Weekend. “We’ve seen a devastating increase in road trauma this year,” he said. “Distracted driving, especially due to mobile device usage, is a major factor in road traffic collisions. The data from the World Health Organisation indicates that drivers using mobile phones are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.”

The RSA’s preliminary analysis of road traffic fatalities for the first half of 2024 further underscores the urgent need for safer driving practices. As of July 28, there have been 113 fatalities on Irish roads, an increase of 17 from the same period in 2023. Alarmingly, 37 of these fatalities were individuals aged 25 years or younger. The counties with the highest fatalities include Dublin, Cork, and Mayo, accounting for 36% of the total deaths. Rural roads, with speed limits of 80km/h or greater, have seen 70% of these fatalities.

A Unified Call to Action

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, urged all road users to reflect on their behavior and its impact on road safety. “We need to address the behaviors that lead to these tragic outcomes – speeding, mobile phone use, driving under the influence, and not wearing seat belts,” Waide stated. “We must not let the progress we have made in road safety be reversed.”

Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman of An Garda Síochána echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significant increase in mobile phone detections over the past year. “Our enforcement data shows an 8% increase in detections for mobile phone use. We appeal to road users to take every precaution and put your mobile phones aside while driving.”

Supporting Safe Driving Initiatives

In support of safe driving, the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are offering free cups of coffee to motorists from 2-8 pm on Friday, August 2, and Monday, August 5. This initiative aims to combat driver fatigue and encourage responsible driving behavior.

Stay Safe on the Roads

At AA Ireland, we stand firmly with the RSA and An Garda Síochána in advocating for safer roads. As a leading advocate for motorists in Ireland, we urge all drivers to prioritize safety, put away their mobile devices, and focus on the road. Let’s work together to ensure a safer journey for everyone this Bank Holiday Weekend and beyond.

Stay safe and drive responsibly. For more information on our services and road safety tips, visit AA Ireland.